Kepier Hospital

The ruins of Kepier Hospital sit quietly on the outskirts of Durham, a 12th-century charitable foundation that once provided shelter for lepers and the poor. What remains is fragmentary - crumbling stone walls and earthworks that require a bit of imagination to bring back to life - but that's rather the appeal if you're into medieval social history.

Walking the site gives you a real sense of how these institutions were positioned away from town centres, both for practical and social reasons. The scale of the ruins suggests this was no small operation. History enthusiasts will find the archaeology genuinely interesting; casual visitors might manage twenty minutes before moving on.

Access appears free, though it's worth checking locally in Durham before you go - sites like this sometimes get cordoned off or have access restrictions. There's no visitor centre or interpretation boards, so you'll get more from a visit if you've read up beforehand. Allow an hour if you're combining it with a walk along the nearby riverbanks.

It's well positioned for a caravan holiday in the area. Durham Grange Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite sits barely a mile and a half away, making Kepier an easy morning detour before exploring Durham's cathedral or heading to Finchale Abbey Residential & Touring Park, which is another cracking spot for medieval remains. The location suits walkers more than families with young children - there's not a lot to keep them occupied here.